MC cartridge recommendation

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Joined 2021
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Hi All,
I know the question is somewhat dumb, but the search didn't yield any clear answers, so: I'm looking for an MC cartridge in the $1000 price range. I have a light ProJect 9cc Evolution tone arm that weighs 8g, so certain types are out of the question. I looked at the following types more closely, but in the end I was confused: Excalibur Gold Hana ML AT-OC9XSL Sumiko Songbird Low AT-ART9XI But I am open and grateful for further suggestions.
 
Hi, You are really wasting your money, putting one of those carts on the arm. They deserve a lots better arm than the 9cc, because it has an Eff Mass of only 9 grams, you will severely limit your cartridge choice.
Also all the carts mentioned require the SRA adjustment (stylus Rake angle) to be set up correctly at -92 degree, to sound at their best. So does to arm have precision height adjustment.
The place to go to find out if your arm & cart matches is the Korf calculator.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...usg=AOvVaw3PW80fE-0XtHSHSWo2yfHu&opi=89978449

Just plug in the cart/stylus data & in will show you if it is a match.

Cheers
 
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Hi, You are really wasting your money, putting one of those carts on the arm. They deserve a lots better arm than the 9cc, because it has an Eff Mass of only 9 grams, you will severely limit your cartridge choice.
Also all the carts mentioned require the SRA adjustment (stylus Rake angle) to be set up correctly at -92 degree, to sound at their best. So does to arm have precision height adjustment.
The place to go to find out if your arm & cart matches is the Korf calculator.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjR08rs9cmEAxVSpVYBHdi8BrMQFnoECA8QAQ&url=https://korfaudio.com/calculator&usg=AOvVaw3PW80fE-0XtHSHSWo2yfHu&opi=89978449

Just plug in the cart/stylus data & in will show you if it is a match.

Cheers
Oh well, exactly what I feared 🙂 In the meantime I've read up a lot, including that the Evo 9cc is said to be "not particularly good", whatever that means. In any case, I will do the check you recommended.
I also have a Phonosophy No. 1 with the Thorens TP 28 arm, will give that a chance too. And maybe start looking for a better/more suitable arm...
 
Benz ACE SL
I have the ACE L, the older version, but after reassembling it at the weekend, I discovered that the cantilever was damaged... it's 14 years old and used it before I moved 13 years ago, so something must have happened. And the Benz Micro company is probably having problems, they were out of business for some time, if I am correctly informed.
 
Hi, If you consider replacing your arm, which to accept a decent MC is a must. Then I use a TemaadAudio 12'', which I bought in a kit form from them for around $450. They do an adaptor plate, that allows their arms to be fitted to virtually any T/T. Simple build & sound wonderful.
Currently I am using a S/H Ortofon Kontrapunkt "b" model & my system really sings. Later when needed I will get the Ortofon re-tipped.

Cheers
 
Thanks @vanofmonks , I also think toward AT, but I plan to go for the ART9XI.
After reading many many reviews and considering my requirements (almost no rock, for example) I think/hope it's the best solution.
PS: the check of my ACE L was sad, the cantilever is bent...
 
Hi Klaus,
yes, I will stick to the Evo.
The ACE is 14 years old and badly damaged and it could be a very expensive fix - and Benz Micro is possibly not in the business anymore... so, after considering everything, I will go for a new cartridge.
 
Hi All,

new situation, same problem: I still NEED an MC cartridge. New situation because I now have the Pearl 3 😁 I've done a lot of reading and tried to define my preferences. In the end, it's clear: I don't like bright or harsh mids and highs. Based on the tests and opinions I've read, Sumiko, Hana, Audio Technica, etc., would fall into this category - this may or may not be true, I really don't know.
Under these circumstances, could you please recommend a cartridge for up to €/$1,000? I have a light (8 grams) and a not-so-light (12.5 grams) tonearm. Ortofon, maybe?
Many thanks in advance.

Cheers
Istvan
 
Hi Istvan.......
I have a lot of cartridges. Unfortunately, being a retiree has forced me to sell the best of them.
Nevertheless......... No doubt, the best "bang for the buck" out there is Audio Technica´s AT33-PTG/II
It has a huge soundstage when setup correctly. It´s dead silent in the grooves due to the ML-needle.
It has better spec´s than the AT-OC9 series. Every time I got something better, I sold them, but for some strange
reason, I always came back to the PTG/II. I´m on my 4.th as I write this.
Have a listen to, what it can do 😉

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ia73...ey=uiolg1qiilbh8q2r78imtwru1&st=50zqohbg&dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/667v...ey=omk2zhp5bwonraf3ljlnmgudx&st=9gdjnflz&dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/l0mm...ey=gbyrm34id4wkffemzg38a4zio&st=jz5qviex&dl=0

Best of luck in finding the correct cartridge for YOUR ears :cheers:
PS..... Did I forget to mention?? The examples are all through the Pearl-3.
 
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